Pasting machine



Oct. 20, 1936.

J. S COLDWELL PASTING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1952 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYS J. 5. COLDWELL 2,058,134

PASTING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1952 Oct. 20, 1936.

12 Sheets-Sheet I N V ENTOR.

A TTORNEYS Oct. 20, 1936. J 5 COLDWELL 2,058,134

PASTING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1952 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 I INVENTOR.

. L aw J A TTORNEYS Oct. 20, 1936. .17 s. COLDWELL PASTING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1952 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY5 Oct. 20, 1936. J. s. COLDWELL 2,058,134

PASTING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1952 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Oct. 20, 1936. J. 5, COLDWELL PASTING MACHINE 119a July '29, 1952 12 Sheets-Sheet s l N V EN TOR.

TTORNEYS Oct. 20, 1936. .1. s. COLDWELL l2 Sheets-Sheet 7 PASTING MACHINE VINVENTOR. 9 5, M

Filed July 29, 1952 my my Ill I'll 1%. RN Qm 7 Oct. 20, 1936. I 5, c w 2,058,134

PASTING MACHINE Fil'ed Ju ly 29, 1932 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 Oct. 20, 1936. J. 5. COLDWELL PASTING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1932 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 W4 ATTORNEY) J. S. COLDWELL 'PASTING MACHINE l2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 Filed. July 29, 1952 OZ QJWJ Y71/15 WWW, 7 ATTORNEY) INVENTOR. 2%; A. k

ATTORNEY;

- 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 hasfl Oct 20', 1936. J. 5. coLDwELL PASTING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1932 Patented Oct. 20, 1936 PASTING MACHINE John S. Coldwell, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Globe-Union Mtg. 00., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation ofWisconsin Application July 29, 1932, Serial No. 625,952

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for applying paste to grids to form storage battery plates.

In manufacturing plates for use in storage batteries, it has been the practice to cast grids in 5 panel form with two grids in each panel. The

grids are then pasted by hand, after which they are dried and then separated to form two complete battery plates. The present invention enables the pasting to be carried out automatically invention is to provide a machine of this character which properly and automatically incorporates the paste in the structure of the grid,

which avoids, waste of paste, and which is effective, reliable and speedy in operation.

More particularly, the present invention provides a pasting machine wherein the grids in panel form are automatically taken one by one from a stack and carried to a novel form of paste applying means under the control of a feed conveyor which protects as well as conveys the grids after which the grids with paste applied thereto are subjected to the action of a very effective type of wiping means to force the paste into proper association with the strands or bars of the grids and into all of the spaces therebetween and to remove and carryoff to an appropriate receiver any excess paste. In one form of the invention, the plates, after leaving the wiping means, are carried to the delivery end ofthe machine where they are ejected from the conveyor and transferred to the conveyor of a drying oven. Handling of the plates is avoided during the pasting operation. The novel characteristics of the stacking, feeding or conveying, paste applying, wiping, ejecting, and other instrumentalities, will be described more in detail hereinafter.

Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of the construction, arrangement and combination of parts which will be hereinafter-more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and inwhich:

Figure 1 is a view inside elevation showing a pasting machine embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof;

Figures 3 and 4 are fragmentary views taken on lines 3-3 and 4-4, respectively, of Figure 2, with parts shown in elevation and parts broken away for the sake of simplicity in illustration;

Figure 5 is a view in' transverse vertical section 55 taken on line 5--5 of Figure 1, looking in the or by machine and, in general, the object of this,

direction of the arrows and illustrating the paste applying means;

Figure 6 is a similar view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure '7 is a view in vertical section taken on line 'I'I of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrating the wiping means;

Figures 8 and 9 are views in transverse vertical section taken on lines 8-8 and 99, respectively, of Figure '7, looking in the direction of the arrows and further illustrating the wiping means;

Figure 10 is a view in transverse section taken on line lll-l of Figure and looking in the direction of the arrows, and further illustrating the paste applying means;

Figure is a fragmentary detail view on an enlarged scale and illustrating partly in section and partly in elevation the adjustable spring mounting employed for the ribs of the holding shoe;

Figure 11 is a view in section taken on line Il| l of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the ejecting means for the pasted grids or panels;

Figure 12 is a detail sectional view taken on line l2l2 of Figure 11 and further showing the ejecting means;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary plan view showing means for forming the stack of grids and controlling the feed of the same;

Figure 14 is a view in transverse vertical section taken on line "-44 of Figure 13 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 15 is a detail view in section taken on line l5-l5 of Figure 7 and showing the cleaning scraper for the blades of the wiping means;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary detail sectional view on an enlarged scale taken in the plane of line 8 99 of Figure '1 and showing on an enlarged scale the endless chain of the conveyor and a portion of one of the cross yokes associated therewith; v

Figure 17 is a similar view taken in the plane of line 66 of Figure 1, and showing on an enlarged scale one of the endless chains of the feed conveyor, a portion of one of the templet-like grid carriers or receivers and the associated structure;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary view in side elevation showing the discharge end of the machine equipped with transferring mechanism for taking the grids from the feed conveyor and transferring them to another conveyor, as, for example, the conveyor of a drying oven;

Figure 18, as indicated by the arrows |9-I9;

Figure 20 is a sectional view taken on line 20-20 of Figurel9;

Figure 21 is a fragmentary view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section showing a modified form of wiping means;

Figure 22 is a view in top plan of the modification shown in Figure 21; and

Figure 23 is a sectional view taken on line 23-23 of Figure 21.

General construction Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the machine comprises a main frame consisting of side members 2 suitably cross connected and supported on legs 3, the legs being appropriately connected to provide a strong and rigid main frame structure. In general, the component instrumentalities of thexmachine that are organized with this main frame structure consist of a stack forming and feed controlling means designated generally at S, paste applying means indicated\generally at P, means designated generally at W for wiping the paste into the grids, removing the excess paste and smoothing the surfaces of the storage battery plates, a feed or conveyor mechanism designated generally at F for carrying the grids from the stack S through the paste applying means P and through the wiping means W to the delivery end of the machine.

' In addition to these main groups of instrumentalities, means is provided for ejecting the pasted panels or grids from the conveyor at the delivery end of the machine, for transferring the ejected pasted panels or grids from the machine to a conveyor, as, for example, an oven conveyor, and for actuating and cleaning the various elements, etc., as will hereinafter be more fully described.

As shown in Figure 1, a supply of panels hereinafter termed grids and designated at G are provided in the stack S.

Stack forming and feed controlling means The means for forming the stack and controlling of the feed of the grids therefrom is shown to advantage in Figures 1, 2, 3, 13, and 14, and. as illustrated, comprises a pair of upright side bars ID, the lower ends of which arefastened as at III to the frame members 2 and the upper ends of which are connected by a cross strip l I. Plates I2 secured to the uprights l and cross strip ll form the front structure of the stack forming means, that is, the structure against which portions of the forward edges of the lugs of the grids G abut. The stack of grids is supported in a slightly inclined position by means of supporting pins l3 carried by the uprights Ill and projecting inwardly beyond the uprights just below the lower ends of the front plates l2. The distance between the top edges of the pins l3 and the bottom edges of the plates i2 is sufficient to admit of the free passage of only one grid G at a time. The stack of grids is held against rearward movement or slipping by means of backpieces I 4 constructed of metal straps having portions seem-ed as at l5 to the uprights Ill and having vertical portions l6 engaging the rearward edges of the laterally projecting ears or lugs of the grids. The operation of this structure may best be understood in com junction with the operation of the means for feed-. ing or conveying the grids through the machine, which means will now be described.

- 20 (see Figures 5, 6 and 14).

2,058, 1 84 Figure 19 is a view in top plan of parts shown in Feeding or conveying mechanism The feeding or conveying mechanism comprises two endless sprocket chains 20 having upper and lower runs extending the full length of the machine and paralleling each other, although transversely spaced. As shown in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 6, the sprocket chains 20 are trained about a pair of hexagonal drive sprockets 2| fixed on a drive shaft 23 and about a pair of similar idler sprockets 22, mounted on an idler shaft 24. The shafts 23 and 24 are rotatably supported in bearings 25 and 26, provided therefor on extensions 21 and 28 of the main frame.

The sprocket chains 20 carry an endless series of templet-like grid receivers or carriers 30, the grid carriers 30 being .in abutting relation longitudinally of, extending transversely between, and

connected along their side edges, to the chains by means of connecting strips 3| rivetedas at 32 to the grid receivers and to connecting'brackets 33 which are also interconnected with the pivots 20' between the links of the chains 20 as clearly shown in detail in Figure 17.

The upper runs of the conveyor chains 20 together with their grid carriers travel for a substantial portion of their extent along a top or table 35 supported by angle irons 36 on the side members 2 of the main frame. The angle irons 36 are set in from the side edges of the table or top 35 to afford clearance for the sprocket chains Since the sprocket chains engage under the edge portions of the top or table 35, the grid carriers 30 are held down against the upper surface of the table during their travel therealong. Furthermore, the strips 3| engage the edges of the table or top 35 to properly center or position the grid carriers 30 on the table and in respect to the various instrumentalities of the machine. The lower runs of the chains together with their grid carriers are supported and held against sagging by angle bars 31 which provide tracks along which the receivers slide. It will be understood that with the feeding mechanism or conveyor actuated to cause the upper runs of the chains 2. to move from the right to the left as viewed in Figures 1 and 3, the grid carriers 30 will succesively engage the lowermost grid G of the stack in the stack forming means S. To insure each grid carrier engaging the lowermost grid only of the stack a holddown bar or shaft 34 located just to the rear of the stack of grids presses each grid carrier 30 snugly against the table 35 as the grid carrier moves under the stack. The bar or shaft 34 is mounted in brackets 34' secured to the side members 2 of the main frame. As clearly illustrated in Figure 3, the lowermost grid G drops into the opening 30' of the grid carrier 3! brought under the stack of grids, so that the rearward edge of this lowermost grid of the stack rests on the table top 35 until the cross bar 35* of the grid carrier comes into engagement with the rearward edge of such grid, whereupon the motion of the carrier pushes the lowermost grid forwardly until its ears or lugs slide 011 of the pins I! at which time such grid drops into the opening 30' which conforms in contour with the grid. There is but a very slight sliding movement or engagement between the lowermost grid of the stack and the next to the lowermost grid .before the lowermost grid drops and is entirely disengaged from the next to the lowermost grid. This precludes wear and tear'on the grids. Once within the control of the grid carriers the grids are completely housed and protected except that their upper surfaces are exposed. The carriers 3|) also keep the edges of the panels or grids clean.

Paste applying means As shown to advantage in Figures 1, 2, 5 and 10, the paste applying means comprises a hopper designated generally at 49 and having a downwardly tapering portion '4| of circular cross section. The lower portion of the hopper has a circular discharge opening 42 slightly above which is an integral outwardly directed flange 43 formed at the corners with lugs 43 and at one side with a braced extension or enlargement 43 (see Figure 10). A supporting lug 44 is formed integral with the lower portion of the hopper at one side thereof and has a vertical opening in which the shaft 45 is fitted whereby this shaft 45 serves not only as a guide or alining means but also as an axis of swing for the hopper as well as a motion transmission element,

as will be hereinafter more fully described. The

flange extension 43 is provided with spaced vertical openings 45" which fit over centering and securing pins 41 projecting upwardly from brackets 48 secured to one of the frame members 2 of the main frame. The desired vertical adjustment of the hopper is obtained by means of spacing washers or collars designated at 49 and 55 and provided on the shaft 45 and pins 41, respectively. The collars 50 are interposed between the brackets 48 and the flange extension 43. The washer 49 is interposed between the underside of the lug 44 and the smooth and plane top of a cam 5|. The cam 5| is provided on its undersurface with inclined or cam surfaces 52 which coact with correspondingly formed surfaces 53 provided on the upper end of a bearing 54 secured to one of the side members 2 and in which the shaft 45 is journaled. A handle 55 may be integrally formed with the cam 5|. When the inclined or cam surfaces 52 of the cam nest with the correspondingly formed surfaces 53 in the upper end of the bearing 54 then the weight of the hopper causes it to assume and retain its lowermost position, in which position the washer 49 and collars 50 properly relate or dispose the discharge end of the hopper with respect to the table 35 and to the grids being carried along the table. By varying the size of the washer 49 and collar 50 or using a plurality of these or using shims in addition thereto, vertical adjustment of the hopper is effected and the amount of surplus paste left on the panels or grids is regulated. When the handle 55 is swung to cause the camsurfaces 52 to ride up the cam surfaces 53, then the hopper 40 is elevated and the flange extension 43 is disengaged from the pins 41 so that the hopper may be swung around the shaft 45 to one side of the machine to provide for .access to or inspection, of the paste applying means and for cleaning out the hopper.

It is to be understood that when the hopper is in operative position sufficient clearance is provided between its lower end and the grids and their carriers to permit the grids and carriers to pass freely past the hopper and also to permit the desired excess of paste to be carried along with the grids.

For the purpose of holding the grid carriers and the grids in proper position on the table 35 during the time that the paste is being forced into the grid, a holding shoe designated at 55 is provided and consists of a central longitudinal presser rib 51 in the form of a flat strip and a longitudinal presser rib 55 along each side. The center rib 51 is fixed in position, being suitably secured, as by a screw 51' to the flange 43. The side ribs 55 are in the form of angles and have similar adjustable spring mountings. As illustrated in Figures 3, 5, 10 and 10 each presser rib 55 is supported by two studs 59, one near each end thereof, each stud 59 having its lower end threadedly connected to its rib and having its upper end portion slidable' through a flanged bushing 55. Above the bushing, nuts 5| are threaded on each stud 59 and limit the downward movement of the studs and consequently of the presser ribs 55. Coil springs 52 strainterposed between the bushings 50 and the ribs 55 and hold the ribs down with a yielding action. The bushings 50 are threaded into openings in the lugs 43' of the hopper flange 43 and by adjusting the bushings or the nuts 5| or both, the position of the ribs 55 may be varied and controlled. To prevent the paste from rolling up under the edge of the hopper, a take-on plate 53 is provided at the departing end of the hopper, that is, at the end or side thereof from which the receivers and grids emerge after the paste has been pressed into the spaces of the grids. This plate 53 may be constructed of thin spring steel and adjacent the hopper has superposed thereon a reinforcing strip 54. The take-off plate presents a sharp inner end 53' which functions to cut-ofl the paste from the grids as they pass from the hopper. It also has the function of smoothing down the paste and packing the same well in the grid.

As shown in Figure 5. the mechanism for forcing the paste from the hopper down into the grids comprises a four-blade screw or propeller 55 having its hub 55 secured to the lower end of a shaft 51. A scraper blade 55 is formed inte-gral with one of the blades of the screw and extends upwardly adjacent the inner surface or periphery of the hopper. The shaft 51 is journaled for rotation in a bearing II! which may be cast integral with the hopper and which has a gear casing Ii integral with the upper end thereof. A large gear wheel 12 is fixed to the upper end of the shaft 51 and is received within the gear casing l I. A cover plate 13 is provided for the gear casing. Below the cover plate the hopper has an inlet opening 49. The gear 12 is driven by means of a pinion I4 splined on the upper end of the shaft 45 and meshing with this gear 12. For driving the shaft 45, a suitable motorsuch as an electric motor 15 may be provided and appropriately geared as at I5 to the lower end of the shaft 45. When the motor 15 is running, the shaft 45 is turned and acts through the gears 14, 12 to turn the shaft 51 and consequently also the four-blade propeller 55 and scrapers 55.

This results in the paste being forced into the spaces or meshes of the grid evenly and effectively. The four-blade screw or propeller gives the maximum pressure on the paste with a minimum loss of space due to the hub area.

The pinion 14 being splined on shaft 45 moves with the hopper up along this shaft when the hopper is elevated and when the hopper is swung to one side of the machine, the gear I2 rolls around its pinion 14.

Wiping mechanism After the paste has been forced into the grids and the grids and their receivers progress along the table 35 beyond the hopper 45 they come under the action of the wiping mechanism W which wipes the paste into the spaces between the strands or bars of the grid, properly compacts the same therein, removes any excess of paste and smooths one surface of the plates. As illustrated to advantage in Figures 2 and 6, the wiping mechanism comprises a pair of side frame members held in properly spaced relation by means of cross' members 8| and extending across and above the path of movement of the grids at an angle.

Referring to Figures 7, 8 and 9, it will be seen that shafts 82 and 83 are journaled in the end portions of the frame and carry pairs of sprocket wheels designated at 84 and 85 over which sprocket chains 81 are trained. The members of each pair of sprocket wheels are transversely spaced from each other and are longitudinally alined with the members of the other pair. At regularly spaced intervals along the chains are transversely extending yokes 88, the ends of whichare angled as at 88' into parallelism with the chain and secured thereto by the pairs of link pins 89, the pairs of'link pins utilized for effecting this connection between the chains and the yokes being elongated sufliciently to enable them to accomplish their purposes (see Figure 16). Wipers or trowels 90 are clamped to the yokes 88 by clamping strips 9| and fasteners 92. In order to hold the wipers in proper angular or wiping operation, trackways or guides 93 and 94 are formed in the side frame members 80 (see Figure 9). The runs of the chains 81 directly engage the tracks 93 and 94 and are constrained to movement in a straight and predetermined path and this effect is translated into the holding of the wipers in proper angular position by virtue of the provision of holding strips 95 welded to the ends of the extensions of the yokes and bearing against the links of the chains. Consequently, the wipers 90 are disposed for efiicient wiping during their action on the pasted grids or panels.

The wiper assembly is disposed diagonally to or at an angle across the main frame and across the path of travel of the grids as will be understood from Figure 2 and is supported in this position by means of bolts 98 which coact with apertured lugs 99 provided on the frame members 80 and are threaded into brackets I00 provided on the side frame members 2 of the main frame. Spacers or shims 99' are interposed between the lugs 99 and brackets I00 to obtain the proper vertical adjustment of the wiper assembly. By having the wiping mechanism disposed at an angle, the wiping action is enhanced and the excess material is removed and thrown into a receiver IN. The tendency to create a suction or vacuum between the table and the pasted panels, when the panels leave the end of the table is avoided by naving the end of the table 35 beveled or angled as at 35 (see Figure 2). The diagonal end of the table 35 is parallel and as close as possible to the departing line of the wiper travel so that the wiper holds the pasted grids down on the table as well as wipes them throughout practically their entire travel along the table after leaving the pasting means. This counteracts the tendency of the plates to lift and leave the paste adhering to the table. In other words, as the grids leave the angular end of the table there is not the sucking action on the square pellets, which there would be were the end of the table straight across. By having the angle of the end of the table parallel to the line of action of the wipers and close thereto there is very little table for the grids to slide over after they come out from under the pressure of the wipers.

It is to be noted that the wipers effective to exert a wiping action travel in the same generaldirection as the grids are traveling, as this tends to promote a smooth wiping action and to preclude the wipers pulling paste out of the grids. Under these circumstances, however, the wiping action is eflected by having the wipers move at a somewhat greater speed than the speed of movement of the grids. By having the wipers move in the same direction and at a greater speed than the grids any pulling effect due to the movement of the pasted grid over the table, is offset and the paste is packed forwardly into the back of the cross bars or cross wires of the grid structure.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the chains 81 are located outside the wipers 90 so that any paste falling through the wiping means will not accumulate on the chains.

Following the completion of a wiping operation by each wiper, the wiper is scraped or cleaned of any paste that may adherethereto. As shown in Figures 7 and 15, this is accomplished by means of a scraper I02 secured to one end of a frame I03 pivoted as at I03 to the side frame members of the wiping mechanism and biased to yielding engagement with the blades by means of a weight I04. Stop lugs I04 on the frame I03 are engageable with the frames 80 to limit the movement of the scraper I02 toward the wiper.

A stationary wiper in the form of a flexible rubber strip 80' is secured to one of the side frame members 80 of the wiping mechanism and has smoothing engagement with the plates as they leave the wiping mechanism and just before they pass oil? 'the end of the table 35 to take out any slight ripples left by the wiping mechanism.

Driving mechanism for the feed conveyors and wiping mechanism Figures 6 and 9) to the drive shaft 82 of the wiping mechanism. The desirable gear ratios are preserved to insure the proper differential between the drive of the wipers and the drive of the chainsZII which actuate the carriers for the grids and control the motion of the grids through the machine.

Plate ejecting mechanism As the plates, that is, the grids which have been pasted, leave the wiping mechanism they are carried immediately to the delivery end of the machine where they are displaced from the carriers of the feed conveyor automatically by ejecting or delivering mechanism shown to advantage in Figures 4, 6, 11 and 12. This mechanism consists of a pair of ejecting fingers II5, fixed on a rock shaft H6, journaled in bearings II'I provided therefor on a cross plate II8 of the main frame. The rock shaft H6 is oscillated in timed relation to the movement of the feed conveyor by providing rollers H8 on one of the drive sprockets 2|, which rollers project laterally and inwardly from their drive sprocket and engage an operating lever I20 fixed to a shaft I2I journaled in bearings I22 provided therefor on the main frame. The shaft I2I has a crank arm I23 provided with a pin I24 loosely fitted in a slot in and connected by a spring I25 with a connecting link I26, the latter being pivotally connected as at I21 to a crank arm I28 fixed to the rock shaft II6.

With this structure, whenever a pasted plate or a carrier of the feed conveyor comes to the delivery end of the machine, one of the rollers H9 coacts with the operating lever I20 to rock the shaft I2I and consequently also the shaft I I6 so as to swing the fingers I I5 upwardly and cause them to engage and displace a plate if any is contained in the carrier of the feed conveyor at the delivery end of the machine. Spring I25 precludes injury or damage in the event of a grid jamming or if the parts stick for other reasons.

Transferring mechanism Means may be provided for picking up the grids or plates as they are lifted by the ejecting mechanism and transferring them to a conveyor O, which may be the conveyor of a drying oven. As shown in Figures 18, 19 and 20, this transferring means may comprise a pairof endless conveyors I50, preferably in the form of sprocket chains and having grid engaging lugs I5I at spaced intervals therealong. The sprocket chains are mounted on sprockets I52 provided in pairs and fixed to shafts I53 and I54. These shafts I53 and I54 are supported for rotation in the side members I55 of a frame, the frame members I55 being cross connected by cross members I56. The side members I55 of the frame are rigidly supported in an inclined position by virtue of the fact that their lower ends are rigidly secured to supporting brackets I55 fastened to and extending upwardly from the side members 2 of the main frame. designated generally at I51 and spur gearing I58 is utilized to drive the shaft I54 from the shaft 23. Longitudinally guides are provided and extend below and for the major part of their length parallel to the lower run of each of the chains I50, these guides being held in position by means of supporting straps I6I fastened thereto andto the side frame members I55. At one end the guides I60 are in close proximity to the position to which the ejecting mechanism lifts the plates or guides, the arrangement being such that the ears of the plates or guides are lifted into engagement with the lugs I5I which pull the ears of the plates or grids up onto the top edges of the vertical flanges of the guides I60 and thereafter pull the grids longitudinally along the guides. As the grids are pulled up along the guides, the side edges of their lower corners slide along inturned supporting flanges I62 formed integral with the vertical portions of the guides I60. These inturned flanges I62 terminate short of the upper portion of the guides so that when the grids or panels are properly located relative to the conveyor 0 theyswing downwardly as indicated by the dotted line a: in Figure 18, about their ears as an axis. This swinging movement brings the lower edge of the panel or grid into a position where it is engaged by the upper run of the conveyor 0. The lower corners of the grids or panels are disengaged from the supporting flanges I62 when the ears o 8 011 grid 0r Chain and sprocket gearing panel reach the downwardly curving portion I68 of the guides so that the lower end of the grid or panel sweeps past and slightly up from the For removing any particles of paste that may tend to adhere to the carriers of the feedconveyor, suitable brushing means is provided. For example, a rotary brush I30 may be supported. for rotation on swingable arms ;I3I, the arms being pivotally mounted on the bracket 34. The swinging mounting of the brush enables it to rise and fall to conform to the corresponding motionof the carrier of the endless conveyor. as the latter moves around the hexagonalidler sprockets 22. In addition to this brushing mechanism. or in lieu thereof, a pair of rotary brushes. I35 may be provided to operate on the return run of the endless feed conveyor (see Figure l), the

brushes I35 being above and below the return' run and being positively driven from the shaft I08 by means of chain and sprocket gearing designated generally at I36.

Supplemental wiping mechanism Transferring means broadly similar to that just described may be combined with supplemental wiping mechanism and is illustrated in Figures 21, 22 and 23. As illustrated, transferring means is provided and includes a pair of endless sprocket chains I10 provided with grid engaging lugs HI and trained about sprocket wheels I13 mounted on shafts I14 rotatably supported in side frame members I15. The sprocket chains are transversely spaced and disposed above guide rails I16 along which the grids or panels are pushed. There are two such guide rails and they extend from the proximity of the ejecting mechanism upwardly at an angle to the wiping mechanism designated generally at W. The guide rails rest upon and are secured to strips I11 which extend transversely between the side members or plates of the frame and have their ends bent at an angle as indicated at I18 and riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the side plates. Positioned in between the guide rails I16 is a grid supporting rail I18. Therail I19 is also supported by the strips I11 and has a portion "9 extending parallel to the guide rails I16 and a. portion I10 which is bent downwardly to a horizontal position. It will be noted from Figure 21 that the sprocket-chains I10 extend only part way up the guide rails. Beyond the sprocket chains l10 another pair of similar sprocket chains I is provided. These sprocket chains I80 are also equipped with grid engaging lugs I8I and function in exactly the same manner as the sprocket chains I10 except that. they are trained about three sets of sprocket wheels designated at I82, I83 and I84, these sets of sprocket wheels being arranged to cause the" chains to travel in a substantially triangular path with one leg of the triangle vertical and extending down through the wiping mechanism. The sprocket wheels I83 are fixed to a drive shaft I which is itself driven by chain and sprocket gearing I" from the shaft 23 of the machine. The other sets of sprocket wheels I82 and I 84 are mounted on freely rotatable shafts I81 and I98. During the time that the grids are being pushed up along the guides I16 by the lugs I'll of the sprocket chains I10 their ears ride on the top edges of the vertical portions of the guides I16 and their lower corners slide along the horizontal flanges I16 of these guides. The flanges I19 terminate adjacent the shaft I14, that is, adjacent the point where the grids are taken from the lugs "I and pushed on up the guide rails by the lugs I8I of the sprocket chains I80. After the lower corners of each grid ride off the horizontal flanges I16 the lower portion of the grid rides along. the horizontal portion up of the supporting rail I19 and the grid gradually swings around to a vertical position, which position it assumes as it rides off of the horizontal portion I19 of the supporting rail I19. When the grid is vertically positioned it starts its downward travel through the wiping mechanism with its ears or lugs traveling between vertical guide rails I and I9I, the guide rail I 9I being a continuation of and, if desired, integral with the inclined guides I16. The wiping means pr'oper consists of a number of pairs of wipers designated generally at I92 and each consisting of a pair of flat wiping plates I93 constructed of thin and resilient sheet metal. Ihe members of each pair of plates are arranged in a sort of a V formation, each plate angling inwardly and downwardly and the lower edges of the plates abutting or in cross relation to and in transverse alinement with the center line of the guide groove formed between the guides I90 and HI. The upper edge of ,each wiping plate is secured between clamping strips I95 and I99. Each clamping strip I99 is secured at its ends to arms I91 which are pivotally supported on the side frame members I15. The plates are adjusted toward or away from each other by means of screws or studs I98 threaded through lugs I99 suitably secured to the frame members I15 and bearing against the rear faces of the arms I91. By adjustingwthe screws I98 the arms I91 are swung about their pivotal mountings and the plates correspondingly adjusted. Lock nuts 200 may be provided for maintaining the adjustment of the studs or screws. It will be noted that the lugs III on the sprocket chains I89 are provided in pairs and thus have complete control over the grids or panels. The rearward lugs push the grid or panel down through the wipers and the forward lugs control the descent of the panels as they round the curving part of the guide-waysv and pass'down to the first set of wipers After passing through both sets of wipers, the ears of the grids are deposited on a pair of endless flexible conveying elements designated at 20I which are trained about suitable pulleys 202 and 293 and carry the posted grids out of the machine and to a point where they may be conveniently transferred to the oven conveyor. If desired, they may be directly deposited on the oven conveyor.

Operation In operation, as the feed conveyor is driven, its upper run moves toward the left in Figure 1 and automatically takes thegrids one by one from the stack. The grids so taken are protected, confined and controlled by the receivers or carriers 39 in which they drop, and remain in these carriers through their travel through the paste applying means wherein the paste is forced thereinto under the action of the screw 65. The operator may occasionally use the handle 55 by pulling it back a slight amount whereby to lift the hopper slightly and allow foreign particles of dry paste or other particles to come out from under the edge of the hopper. The operator can determine from the appearance of the ribbon of paste at any time when this needs to be done. This eliminates frequent jamming. The grids are also protected and confined during their travel under the wiping mechanism which functions to compact and smooth the paste and to remove any excess paste in the manner described above.

As pointed out hereinabove, the plates, when pasted and when being acted on by the wiping means W, travel along the smooth, flat or polished top or table 35. Hence, any tendency of the paste to stick or adhere to the support along which the panels or grids are traveling is avoided. After leaving the wiping mechanism W, the plates are carried to the ejecting mechanism and in one embodiment of the invention are taken from the ejecting mechanism by the transferring mechanism shown in Figures 18 to 20, inclusive,

by which they are carried to the oven conveyor or any suitable take-oft conveyor.

'I'he transferring mechanism also acts to turn the pasted panels or grids up-side-down to so dispose the panels that they may be conveniently given a hand troweling or wiping on their undersides, that is, on the sides that have been traveling along the table whereby to remove any possible pulls or holes.

Where the supplemental wiping mechanism shown in Figure 21 is employed the necessity for manual troweling or manually wiping the undersides of the pasted grids or panels is avoided. It will be noted that the supplemental or am:- iliary wiping mechanism W is so designed that the plates are pushed through the stationary wipers in a direction opposite to that in which they have been traveling along the table or bed of the machine. Thus the stationary wipers of the supplemental wiping mechanism act on both faces or surfaces of the pasted grids or panels and further tend to counteract any pulling effect to which the pasted grids may have been subjected during the time they are acted upon by the main wiping mechanism W.

In the construction illustrated, the table has been shown as imperforate, flat and smooth throughout its extent. Obviously, it is not essential to have that portion of the table between the stack of grids and the pasting means so constituted. Such portion of the table may be of open structure, to permit any remaining particles of paste to drop through.

While embodiments of the invention have been shown and described for the sake of illustration, obviously various changes in the size, form, arrangement and construction of the parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the subjoined claims.

'- The invention claimed is:

1. A pasting machine for applying paste to grids comprising an imperforate table, feeding means including carriers conforming in contour with and adapted to receive and advance grids along said table, means for applying paste to said grids while they are in said carriers and being advanced along said table, and means above the table for wiping pasted grids as they are advanced along said table and comprising a plurality of wiping elements supported for movement across and at an angle to said pastedgrids, the line of movement of the wipers being at an angle to the line of movement of the grids and means for moving said wiping elements in the same general direction as said pasted grids but at a greater speed.

2. A pasting machine for applying paste to grids to form battery plates comprising a table, feeding means including carriers conforming in contour with and adapted to receive and advance grids along said table, means for applying paste to said grids while they are in said carriers and being advanced along said table, and means engageable with the underside of the grids for lifting a portion at least of said grids to a position above said carriers at the delivery end of the machine.

3. A pasting machine for applying paste to grids comprising an imperforate table, a conveyor for feeding the grids along the table, paste applying means for filling the spaces of the grids with paste and wiping means above the table comprising side frame members extending across the conveyor at an angle, a pair of endless sprocket chains mounted on said side frame members, means for moving said sprocket chains and wiper blades carried by the sprocket chains and moved thereby across the pasted grids.

4. In a machine for applying paste to grids, a main frame having a top, an endless feed conveyor for feeding the grids along said top, means for applying paste to the grids and consisting of a hopper supported above the table and having a discharge opening immediately above the grids, means for forcing the paste through said discharge opening and into the grids and including a feed screw supported for rotation within the hopper, means for rotating said feed screw and comprising a vertical shaft upon which said hopper is mounted for swinging movement, and spur gearing between said shaft and said feed screw.

5. In a machine for applying paste to grids, a main frame having a top, an endless feed conveyor for feeding the grids along said top, means for applying paste to the grids and consisting of i a hopper supported above the table and having a discharge opening immediately above the grids, means for forcing the paste through said discharge opening and into the grids and including a feed screw supported for rotation within the hopper, means for rotating said feed screw and comprising a vertical shaft upon which said hopper is mounted for swinging movement, gearing between said shaft and said feed screw, means for holding the hopper against swinging movement when it is in operative relation to the table, and means for elevating the hopper to disengage said securing means and to permit swinging thereof to one side of the table.

6. In a machine ofthe character described, wiping mechanism including a pair of side frame members, driving and idler shafts mounted on said members, sprocket wheels carried by said shafts, sprocket chains trained over said sprocket wheels, said members having tracks along certain of which certain runs of said sprocket chains ride, cross yokes connecting said chains, wiper blades connected to said cross yokes, and means cooperable with other of said tracks for preventing tilting of the yokes and blades during the wiping operation.

'7. In a machine of the character described, wiping mechanism including a pair of side frame members, driving and idler shafts mounted on said members, sprocket wheels carried by said shafts, sprocket chains trained over said sprocket wheels, said members having tracks along which said sprocket chains ride, cross yokes connecting said chains, wiper blades connected to said cross yokes,and means for preventing tilting of the yokes and blades during the wiping operation and comprising holding strips connected to the yokes and guides coacting with said strips to constrain said wiper blade to proper movement and position when they are exerting a wiping action.

8. A pasting machine of the character described comprising a main frame having a top, an endless feed conveyor having grid carriers adapted to receive the grids and propel them along said table, means for delivering grids to said carriers, means for applying paste to the grids while they are in the carriers, means for wiping the pasted grids, means for lifting the grids from the carriers at the delivery end of the machine and including lifting fingers engageable with the grids and means actuated by the endless conveyor for operating said fingers at the proper time.

9. A pasting machine for applying paste to grids to form battery plates comprising a table, feeding means for advancing grids along said table, means for applying paste to said grids while they are being advanced along the table, and means for exerting a wiping action on said pasted grids at an angle to the line of movement thereof, the end of the table to which the wiping means completes its action being inclined along a line paralleling the line of action of the wiping means.

10. A pasting machine for applying paste to grids comprising a table, feeding means including carriers to receive and advance the grids along the table, means for applying paste to the grids while they are in said carriers and being advanced along the table, and yieldable means engageable with the underside of said grids forlifting a portion at least of said pasted grids to a position above said carriers at the delivery end of the machine.

11. A pasting machine of the character described comprising a table, an endless feed conveyor carrying grids along the table and consisting of endless chains and grid carriers connected to and moved with said chains, said chains having a run extending along the table, cooperating means between the chains and the table for holding the runs extending along the table top against upward movement, means for supplying grids to said carriers, and means positioned above the table for forcing paste down into the grids controlled by said carriers and moving along the top of the table.

JOHN S. COLDWELL. 

